The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has disclosed its decision to sustain the ongoing strike until all its demands are met.
This was contained in a communique jointly signed by the President of NARD, Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa; Secretary General, Jerry Isogun and Publicity Secretary, Dotun Oshikoya issued at the end of an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.
According to the communique, members of NEC reviewed the efforts of government and resolved to continue with the industrial action until all their demands are met.
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It stated that after critical appraisal of the actions of both federal and state governments on all the issues affecting the welfare of its members, the NEC unanimously agreed via vote to sustain the ongoing industrial action until its demands are met as contained in the MoA signed more than 140 days ago and the recent MoU signed between the government and the Association.
“We observed with dismay that despite the express instructions given by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the FMOH to side-step all technicalities in resolving the issues of dispute between us and the government, not one item on the table had been resolved.
“The NEC was embarrassed by the misinterpretation of the court ruling by the Federal Ministry of Labour, thereby misinforming the public that the National Industrial Court had ordered that the strike should be suspended.
“It also expressed disappointment over the failure of the Abia State Governor to offset the 19 months salary arrears being owed its members in his state which he promised to pay over 23 days ago.
“We also frown on the actions of the governors of Imo, Ekiti and Ondo states who still owe our members 10 months, six months and four months respectively,” it stated.
Recall that the Association had commenced an indefinite strike action on 2 August, to protest the government’s nonchalant attitude toward meeting its demands.
It had decried that only four percent of the total budget is being allocated to the health sector, while over 20 percent are spent on salaries for public servants, among others.